ISTANBUL: President Mamnoon Hussain left for Pakistan after concluding his four-day official visit to Turkey at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart President Recep Tayyip Erdogon.

The president represented Pakistan at the Centenary Anniversary of Canakkale Sea and Land Battles, which took place during the World War 1.On the sidelines of the commemoration ceremonies, the president interacted with other participating world leaders, said a press release.

Mamnoon arrived in Istanbul on April 22 and was received at Ataturk International Airport by Kenan Ipek, Turkish Minister for Justice, Governor Istanbul Vasip Sahin, Ambassador of Pakistan Sohail Mahmood and senior officials of the Turkish government and members of the Pakistan Embassy.

On the second day, President Mamnoon attended the High Level Segment of the Peace Summit, chaired by Turkish Prime Minister Prof Dr Ahmet Davutoglu and addressed by the prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand and President of Iraq.

He interacted with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Prince of Wales Prince Charles and other world leaders on the sidelines of other events related to the peace summit.

The president and the first lady also attended the dinner hosted by President Erdogan and Emine Erdogan in honour of the participating leaders.

Mamnoon had met Albanian President Bujar Nishani. The president underscored Pakistan’s desire to strengthen relations with Albania in the economic, trade and cultural fields. The president said that contacts were necessary for maintaining and expanding friendly cooperation between Pakistan and Albania.

He stressed the need for exchange of parliamentary visits and close cooperation at the level of parliamentary friendship groups in both countries.President Nishani said that the people of Albania considered Pakistan as a sincere friend. He said that Albania desired expansion of bilateral relations with Pakistan. He said that Pakistan could take advantage from Albania’s expertise in textile, tourism, mining, energy and agriculture sectors.

The Albanian president also extended invitation to President Mamnoon to visit his country that was reciprocated by the latter.Mamnoon along with other world leaders visited Canakkale, the venue of epic land and sea battles over 100 years ago.

He offered prayers and laid a wreath at the Mehme‡ik Memorial (Turkish war soldiers) and at the Cape Helles during the Commonwealth Commemoration Ceremony.Later, the president joined other leaders at a dinner hosted by the Turkish president.

During his stay at Canakkale, the President held a meeting with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The president felicitated the Turkmenistan President on the 20th Anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Declaration of Neutrality and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for this initiative.

The president underscored the need for timely completion of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project. He said that improved rail and road connectivity would not only help improve bilateral economic relations but also facilitate Turkmenistan’s access to the sea through Pakistan’s seaports.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov thanked Pakistan for its consistent support for the Declaration of Neutrality and invited the president to participate in the 20th anniversary celebrations in Turkmenistan to be held later this year. Separately, Chairman of the Turkey-Pakistan Friendship Group in Turkish Parliament Burhan Kayaturk also called on the president in Istanbul. Views were exchanged on strengthening parliamentary cooperation and bilateral relations in all fields. Mamnoon and Tayyip Erdogan had a bilateral meeting. Mamnoon said that Pakistan was making all possible efforts to initiate a peaceful resolution of the Yemen crisis. The president stated that Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity had been an important pillar of its foreign policy.

Mamnoon also extended an invitation to his Turkish counterpart to visit Pakistan at the earliest convenience. He stressed that economic ties between Pakistan and Turkey should be commensurate with the excellent bilateral political relations.

The Turkish president said that he had encouraged Turkish companies to invest in infrastructure and construction sectors and the building of dams in Pakistan. Mamnoon stated that it was an honour to join the Turkish people on the historic occasion of the Centenary Commemoration of the Canakkale Battle. The president stated that Pakistan also paid homage to the brave Turkish soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice thereby paving the way for the eventual establishment of an independent Turkish republic.

On the occasion, the Turkish president thanked Mamnoon on attending centenary ceremonies.

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